ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
India continues its streak of low daily new cases with 16,504 positives recorded in the last 24 hours
At 99.5 lakhs, India clocks highest global Cumulative Recoveries
One crore tests conducted in the last 11 days
With a sustained, pro-active and calibrated approach, the daily new cases in India are on a sustained decline. 16,504 new cases were added to the national tally in the last 24 hours.
The decline in daily cases has ensured a consistent fall in the Active Caseload. India’s active caseload has fallen to 2,43,953 today. The share of Active Cases in the total Positive Cases has further compressed to merely 2.36% of the cumulative caseload.
A net decline of 3,267cases has been recorded in the total active cases in last 24 hours.
India’s total cumulative tests have crossed 17.5 Cr . 7,35,978 samples were tested in the last 24 hours.
India’s testing infrastructure has seen a significant boost with 2,299 labs across the country.
One crore tests were conducted in the last 11 days. Higher testing has led to further decline in the cumulative positivity rate .
With the rising recoveries and decline in daily new cases, India’s cumulative recoveries are moving closer to 1 Crore. The total recovered cases are nearing 99.5 lakhs  today which translates to a Recovery Rate of 96.19%.
19,557cases have recovered in the last 24 hours.
76.76% of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 States/UTs.
Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 4,668 recoveries. Maharashtra follows with 2,064 new recoveries. West Bengal recorded another 1,432 daily recoveries.
83.90% of the new cases are concentrated in 10 States and UTs.
Kerala reported the maximum daily new cases numbering 4,600 in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra recorded 3,282 new cases while West Bengal reported 896 new cases yesterday.
Ten States/UTs account for 77.57% of the 214 case fatalities reported in the past 24 hours.
16.35% of new fatalities reported are from Maharashtra which reported 35 deaths. West Bengal and Kerala follow with 26 and 25 new deaths, respectively.
Ministry of Science & Technology
Signing of Legal Agreements between Govt. of India and World Bank on National Biopharma Mission
Towards strengthening the emerging biotechnology enterprise in India, Department of Biotechnology , Ministry of Science & Technology has initiated the Mission programme entitled: Industry-Academia Collaborative Mission for Accelerating Discovery Research to Early Development for Biopharmaceuticals – “Innovate in India  Empowering biotech entrepreneurs & accelerating inclusive innovation”. The National Biopharma Mission is being implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council  - a Public Sector Undertaking of Department of Biotechnology . This Mission of the Department was approved by the Cabinet in May 2017 and formally launched by Hon’ble Minister for Science & Technology on 30th June, 2017.
The Mission has been approved at a total cost of US$250 million for five years with 50% funding through World Bank Loa,with an aim to make India a hub for design and development of novel, affordable and effective biopharmaceutical products such as vaccines, biologics and medical devices for combating public health concerns. This Programme of DBT would strengthen translational capability of academic researchers; empower bio-entrepreneurs and SMEs by decreasing the cost and risk during early stages of product development and also elevate the innovation quotient of the industry. The global experience of World Bank would be instrumental in building sustained global linkages, technical assistance and knowledge flow between public private partners for business promotion in biotech sector.
The Legal Agreement with World Bank for flexible financing arrangements for this Mission of DBT was executed on April 24, 2018 between the project implementing agency – BIRAC a PSU of DBT, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development . This mission will mark the beginning of a new partnership between DBT and World Bank. It is envisaged that this programme will revolutionize the Biotech market. It will help deliver 6-10 new products in the next five years, create several dedicated facilities for next-generation skills, and hundreds of jobs in the process. It is anticipated that in the long term it would benefit the Indian population at large due to availability of affordable solutions and products relevant to Indian health needs.
Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Shri Rameswar Teli attends stakeholders meet on Food Processing Industries in Assam;
Highlights special benefits to North Eastern Region under PMKSY
Minister of State for Food Processing Industries Shri Rameswar Teli today attended the stakeholders meet on Food Processing, organized by Ministry of Food Processing Industries in partnership with the Government of Assam at Guwahati, Assam.
Sh. Rameswar Teli in his speech highlighted that Ministry of Food Processing Industries has been allocating 10% of its budget for implementation of its schemes and programs in the North Eastern Region for the development of the Food Processing Sector, as per the policy of the Government of India and in line with the priorities of the sector.
Minister stated that as of today, 15 Food Processing units are in operation in Assam with a project cost of around 200 crores. He has also added that Agro Processing Clusters Projects worth about 60 crores has been sanctioned in Assam and the APC project for the same amount is in the pipeline to be sanctioned. He said that the economy and employment opportunities of the region have increased through the Mega Food Park in Nalbari District, Assam.
Shri Teli further added that under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana , a flagship scheme of MoFPI, special benefits are available to the North Eastern States in terms of higher rate of subsidy and other relaxations to attract investors. For instance, the rate of subsidy in the North Eastern Region ranges from 50% to 75%, compared to the 35% to 50% in general areas. At present, 28 Projects have been sanctioned in Assam under PMKSY, out of which 7 are Operational. MoS also highlighted that Krishi Udaan Yojana has been specifically designed keeping NER in mind.
The Minster also opined that in most cases in NER, the right guidelines regarding the establishment of food processing units are not available. In order to solve this problem, a Project Development Cell has been formed in MoFPI, which provides help to the interested entrepreneur in counselling, and in making of DPR etc.
Sh. Rameswar Teli urged the Government of Assam to make the PMKSY and PMFME accessible to the people. He hoped that through development of the Food Processing Sector, farmers could get the right price for their produce, reduce post-harvest waste and create new opportunities for investment and employment.
Special Service and Features
Target has been set to export Rs. 1 lakh crore worth Marine Products including fish by 2024-25: Union Minister of State, Dr L. Murugan
Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Fisheries, Dairy and Animal Husbandry Dr L. Murugan has stated that target had been set to export Rs. 1 lakh crore worth Marine Products including fish by 2024-25.
The Minister was interacting with the representatives of Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Port Blair today The representatives discussed with the Minister about various issues related to fisheries, tourism, the process for ease of doing business and put forth many proposals and clearences.
In his speech, Minister Dr. L. Murugan assured that all the proposals, suggestions and demands of the representatives would be taken up with the respective Ministers for consideration and action would be taken accordingly.
He further informed that there has been a target to export Rs. 1 lakh crore worth marine products including fish by the year 2024-25. As of now the export of such products is around Rs 43000 crore. By the year 2022- 23, sea products amounting to Rs. 60000 crore is estimated to be exported.
Adding that fresh and hygenic fish and cold storage facilities are imperative for international exports, the Minister said it was with this intention that numerous reforms have been made under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana .
He further stated that various steps are being taken to improve fisheries and aquaculture infrastructure. In line with this effort, 5 fishing harbours located in Chennai, Kochi and Visakhapatnam are being modernised at a cost of around Rs. 900 crore. In addition to this, projects like construction of cold storage facilities, establishment of fish processing plants, deep-sea fish farming will also be implemented, he said.
The meeting was chaired by the President of Andaman Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shri Surender Prahlad.
Genrich Membranes, a spin-off company, based on proprietary technology licensed from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology  to scale up membrane oxygenator equipment  that it has developed to treat COVID-19 patients. Based on innovative, indigenous hollow-fiber membrane technology, the MOE enriches oxygen in the air up to 35% under pressure .
The equipment consists of membrane cartridge, oil-free compressor, output flowmeter, humidifier bottle, nasal-cannula, and tubing & fittings. The compressed, filtered air from the compressor is fed to the membrane cartridge, which selectively permeates oxygen over nitrogen offering oxygen-enriched air as the product at the ambient pressure. The membrane cartridge capable of distinguishing oxygen and nitrogen restricts the passage of viruses, bacteria, and particulate matter. The product air is of medical grade.
The device is safe, does not require trained manpower for its operation, needs minimum maintenance, is portable, compact, and with plug-and-play facility provides on-site, quick-start oxygen-enriched air.
"Medical grade oxygen-enriched air is needed in a variety of patient care settings including COVID-19 situations where the global experience is about 14% infections require some kind of respiratory support, but only about 4% need ICU based ventilators. The rest of this population, as well as in many other conditions involving chronic breathing problems, this innovation promises to be of excellent value", said Prof Ashutosh Sharma, Secretary, DST
With an urgent requirement of respiratory interventions to treat breathlessness, one of the critical symptoms of COVID 19, the equipment can be used to treat patients who have been released from Intensive Care Units . The device can also be helpful for patients suffering with chronic breathing problems like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease , Asthma, Interstitial lung disease , pre-term babies, snake bite, and so on.
The testing and validation of Prototype have been demonstrated in a relevant environment and Genrich, the startup that has supported by DST- National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board  Seed Support System and incubated by Entrepreneurship Development Center, , Pune is planning to join hands with established medical device companies to mass manufacture MOE which can get this device ready, within three months.
Ministry of Tourism
Ministry of Tourism has drafted a National Strategy for the development of Cruise Tourism in the Country
Ministry of Tourism, as part of its on-going activities, releases global print, electronic and online media campaigns in important, and potential markets overseas, under the ‘Incredible India’ brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country.
To position India as a preferred destination for cruise tourism globally, Ministry of Tourism has drafted a National Strategy for Cruise Tourism. Following strategic pillars have been identified in the strategy document for infrastructure & circuit enablement, market development and skill development:
- Infrastructure & Circuit Enablement
- Market Development
- Ease of doing Business for Cruise Tourism
- Integrated Tourism around Cruise Terminals
- Facilitating and Promoting Investment in Cruise Tourism
- Skill Development for Cruise Tourism
- Institutional Structure and Governance
Ministry of Tourism also provides financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations and Central Government Agencies for development of tourism including Cruise Tourism and Cruising along rivers, under the scheme for ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure development’. The details of projects sanctioned for infrastructure development at Ports and Waterways under the scheme of Assistance to Central Agencies during last three years.
Ministry of Tourism partnered with Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways during the 1st Incredible India International Cruise Conference. The conference showcased abundant business opportunities in cruise tourism sector including river cruising. The conference was attended by more than 300 delegates including major global cruise lines viz, MSC, Carnival, RCCL, Costa, Cordelia, Holland America group etc.
As conveyed by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, India has taken Cruise Tourism promotion and campaign to International Cruise events by actively participating in International forums viz Sea-Trade Miami, Dubai etc. Further, as conveyed by Inland Waterways Authority of India, the infrastructure developed for transportation on National Waterways  by IWAI including fairway, terminals, jetties, navigation aids etc. are used by the river tourism operators also.
Prime Minister of India flagged off the World's Longest River Cruise on 13th January 2023 from Varanasi on NW-1  to Dibrugarh NW-2  via Bangladesh, which has been successfully completed by covering waterway distance of 3200 km approx. on 28.02.2023 at Dibrugarh, Assam.
This reply was given by Minister of Culture, Tourism and Development of North Eastern Region Shri G. Kishan Reddy in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Updates on COVID-19
Several steps for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 are being taken by Government of India along with the States/UTs. These are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.
The implementation of the Action Plan is yielding good results in 23 States/UTs across 47 districts. Kodaggu  is a new district that has been added to this list along with Mahe  that has not reported any fresh cases during the last 28 days. 22 new districts in 12 States have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days, which include:
- Lakhisarai, Gopalganj, Bhagalpur in Bihar
- Dholpur& Udaipur in Rajasthan
- Pulwama in J&K
- Thoubal in Manipur
- Chitradurga in Karnataka
- Hoshiarpur in Punjab
- Rohtak & Charkhi Dadri in Haryana
- Lohit in Arunachal Pradesh
- Bhardak, Puri in Odisha
- Karimganj, Golaghta, Kamrup Rural, Nalbari & South Salmara in Assam
- Jalpaiguri and Kalimpong in West Bengal
- Vishakapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.
As of now, the mortality rate for COVID-19 is of 3.3%. Further analysis of the data indicates that out of the deceased:
- 14.4% of people are 0-45 years age group
- 10.3% 45 -60 years age group
- 33.1% 60-75 years age group
- 42.2% are from 75 years and above age group
The data shows that 75.3% of the cases belong to above 60 yrs age category. Also it is seen that 83% of cases had co-morbidities. This brings to fore the earlier highlighted facts that elderly people and people with co-morbidities are at higher risk.
After reviewing the worldwide testing methodology, National Taskforce of ICMR has issued a Guideline to all states. Detailed Guideline can be seen at:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ProtocolRapidAntibodytest.pdf
Additionally, before starting any Rapid Test, States should register any data related to tests for COVID-19 on ICMR website .
A total of 14,378 confirmed cases are reported for COVID-19 in the country. As many as 1992 persons i.e. is 13.82% of total cases have been cured/discharged after recovery.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be emailed at technicalquery.covid19[at]gov[dot]in and other queries on ncov2019[at]gov[dot]in .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no. : +91-11-23978046 or 1075 . List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .
Ministry of Finance
Japan’s Official Development Assistance  to India
The Notes were exchanged today between Mr. Rajat Kumar Mishra, Additional Secretary, Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, and Mr. Suzuki Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan, to India for Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link Project  of JPY 30.755 billion Rs. 1,728 crore approx.) and Project for the Establishment of Mizoram State Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre of JPY 9.918 billion .
Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link Project aims to improve connectivity in Mumbai Metropolitan Region by connecting Mumbai with Navi Mumbai, thereby contributing to mitigation of traffic congestion and promoting regional economic development. This is tranche-III loan for the project.
Project for the Establishment of Mizoram State Super-Specialty Cancer and Research Centre aims to improve access to cancer prevention, detection, and treatment as well as human resource development and research that support cancer control system, thereby contributing to achieving Universal Health Coverage through strengthening the healthcare system pertaining to cancer in the state.
India and Japan have had a long and fruitful history of bilateral development cooperation since 1958. In the last few years, the economic cooperation between India and Japan has steadily progressed. This further consolidates and strengthens the Strategic and Global Partnership between India and Japan.
Ministry of Education
Union Education Minister to launch NIPUN Bharat tomorrow
The Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education will launch National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy  tomorrow i.e 5th July, 2021. It will be launched virtually by Union Minister of Education, Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’. A short video, anthem and Implementation Guidelines on NIPUN Bharat will also be launched during this programme. Senior officers from the School Education Department from all States and UTs, Senior Officials of the Department and Heads of Institutions will also attend the event.
The launch of NIPUN Bharat marks an important step undertaken by the Department of School Education and Literacy, among a series of measures taken for implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, that was released on 29th July 2020.
The vision of NIPUN Bharat Mission is to create an enabling environment to ensure universal acquisition of foundational literacy and numeracy, so that every child achieves the desired learning competencies in reading, writing and numeracy by the end of Grade 3, by 2026-27. NIPUN Bharat will be implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy and a five-tier implementation mechanism will be set up at the National- State- District- Block- School level in all States and UTs, under the aegis of the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha.
Ministry of Defence
DAC Approves State of the Art Technological Upgrade of 17 Dorniers of ICG Worth Rs 950 Crore
The Defence Acquisition Council , chaired by Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman here today and accorded approval for the Mid Life Upgrade of 17 Dornier Aircraft of Indian Coast Guard  at an approximate cost of Rs. 950 crore. The upgrades will be carried out by M/s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited , the aircraft manufacturer of India.
ICG is responsible for protecting the national interests in maritime zones of India which entails surveillance of sea areas of approximately 2.01 million square kilometres of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone . ICG is also the nodal agency in India for maritime pollution response. The Coast Guard has a fleet of Dornier aircraft which play a pivotal role in maritime surveillance. In order to enhance the capabilities of the fleet, DAC accorded approval for upgradation of these aircraft with state-of-the-art technology, spares, Special Maintenance Tools  and Special Test Equipment . The DAC also approved equipping of three aircraft with Pollution Surveillance Systems.
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Election Commission
Total Number of Electors for Lok Sabha Poll in West Bengal have Increased by 70, 20,394 in 2019 in Comparison to 2014, with both Male & Female Electors on the Rise
Kolkata, March 19, 2019
The total number of electors in West Bengal is already on the rise for 2019 Lok Sabha poll. This time the total number of electors is 6, 97, 60, 868. In the last Lok Sabha poll, i.e., in 2014, the total number of electors was 6, 27, 40, 474. Hence the total number of electors in 2019 has increased by 70,20,394 in comparison to 2014 Lok Sabha poll.
In 2019, the number of male electors is 3, 57, 83, 463. In 2014, this number was 3, 26, 24, 654. The number of male electors has gone up by 31,59,209 in 2019 in comparison to 2014.
This year the number of female electors too has increased in considerable numbers. This year, the number of female electors in the State has gone up to 3, 39, 75, 979 from 3, 01, 15,316 of 2014. Hence, the number of female electors too has gone up by 38, 60, 663 in 2019, in comparison to 2014.
This year, the number of male electors is maximum is Coochbehar  Parliamentary Constituency. The number is 9, 40, 948. In the last Lok Sabha election, i.e., in 2014, the number of male electors was maximum in number in Kolkata Dakshin Parliamentary constituency. The number was 8, 89, 765.
In 2019, the number of female electors is maximum in Jadavpur Parliamentary constituency. The number is 8, 99, 611. In the last Lok Sabha election, the number of female electors was maximum in number in Hooghly Parliamentary Constituency. The number was 7, 92, 873.